San Pedro in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Catalina Channel
Photographed by Naheed Awan, March 21, 2020
1. Catalina Channel Marker
The Catalina Channel, about 25 miles wide and close to 500 fathoms deep (about 3,000 feet), separates Santa Catalina Island from the mainland. This part of the Pacific Ocean was first visited by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542, sailing under the Spanish flag. Today it is part of the coastal shipping route of California.
The Gabrielino Indians living in this locality, on occasion, commuted to Santa Catalina Island where they visited and traded with the Gabrielino Indians living there.
In winter, whales may be observed as they migrate to Baja California, where they mate and bear their young. In the spring, they can be seen again as they return to northern waters for the summer.
Erected 1997 by Los Angeles County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1542.
Location. 33° 42.958′ N, 118° 19.081′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in San Pedro. It is on West Paseo Del Mar 0.2 miles east of Western Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located on the bluff overlooking White Point Beach. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1599 W Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro CA 90732, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Santa Catalina Island (within shouting distance of this marker); White Point Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); White Point Nike Missile Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Royal Palms County Beach (about 400 feet away); White Point Nature Preserve (about 400 feet away); Japanese Americans at White Point (about 600 feet away); Battery Osgood-Farley Historic Site (approx. 1.3 miles away); Korean Friendship Bell (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.
More about this marker. This is one of a dozen markers placed along the bluff overlooking historic White Point Beach.
Also see . . . White Point Beach history. (Submitted on March 23, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 24, 2020
2. Catalina Channel Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 24, 2020
3. Catalina Island, Channel, and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2020. This page has been viewed 1,384 times since then and 93 times this year. Last updated on March 28, 2020. Photos: 1. submitted on March 22, 2020. 2, 3. submitted on March 25, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
